Goderich motel owners recognized through I Am Huron campaign for community impact

Iqbal and his Tahseen owners of The Maple Leaf Motel in Goderich and hourees of the Local Immigration Partnership’s I Am Huron campaign.

Newcomers who have built meaningful lives and contributed to their communities in Huron County are being celebrated through the Local Immigration Partnership’s I Am Huron campaign.

The campaign highlights immigrants and newcomers making a lasting difference across the region. This year’s six honourees included Iqbal and Tahseen Shaukat from Goderich. 

“It’s amazing and it’s an honor to be recognized. We are learning from our journey and when we moved here in Huron County it was our new home, “said Iqbal Shaukat, who owns The Maple Leaf Motel in Goderich with his wife Tahseen.

“It’s great to be living and we are very grateful to have that here, once we got the news we were both happy that we were honored.” 

Iqbal and Tahseen and their family moved to Canada in 2003 from Pakistan and moved to Goderich in 2021 to run The Maple Leaf Motel. They have three children, ages 21, 18 and 11.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic when the family arrived, and they felt that the town was unusually quiet. Concerned that residents might be feeling isolated, the couple quickly became involved in the community to help foster connections and provide support.

In 2022, they organized a community dinner at the Mackay Centre for Seniors, purchasing food and serving an Eid lunch for more than 80 people.

The event, held at the end of Ramadan, offered an opportunity for reflection and celebration while allowing the couple to give back to elders in the community. The success of the first dinner led to three additional annual events, with plans for further gatherings in the future.

“This is our hometown. We don’t just have a business here,” said Iqbal.

“We've had the chance to work with Goderich Tourism and really be part of the community. We saw people coming together and didn’t want anyone to feel isolated. Wherever there was a gap, we wanted to fill it and always look out for the community.”

Iqbal and Tahseen expanded their community involvement by supporting events such as Huron County’s Multicultural Festival, the Celtic Festival, and Welcoming Week. Tahseen also joined a group that organizes food donations for people in need through local pantry boxes and founded “Speak Your Heart”, a group for women to share their experiences.

“The community has a lot of heart, and we really felt that during our first year here,” added Iqbal.

“That was another reason we knew we needed to get involved. We’re going to live here, so it’s important for us to be part of what’s happening.”

Iqbal and Tahseen’s dedication and commitment to their business earned them recognition from the local community.

In the fall of 2022, they received the Tourism Goderich Hospitality Business and Business of the Year awards at the Huron Chamber of Commerce Awards. The following year, they were honored with the Huron County Economic Development Employer of Choice award.

“It feels incredibly rewarding to be recognized by our community members the people who live here alongside us and collaborate with us every day,” Iqbal remarked.

“We value those connections deeply and want to continue strengthening them, building relationships that allow us to make a lasting, meaningful impact.”

Iqbal and Tahseen’s goal is to stay engaged with the community, contribute wherever they can, and keep finding ways to give back while fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.